[kecanoe]

Saw pdoc today and he wants me to drop from 5 mg of Abilify to 2.5 for at least a week then off completely.

I do need to get off Abilify; it's causing me to head toward metabolic syndrome. But having read some about withdrawal I am concerned.

I also take welbutrin, buspar, cyclobenzadrine, nortiptylene, with xanax, nuvigil, ambien, zyprexa as needed.

Anybody stop Abilify so suddenly? What can I do to minimize any "discontinuation syndrome" (which is apparently the politically correct way to describe coming off psychotropic drugs)?

[Barreja]

My understanding is that it stays in your system for long time. I was on 10 mg and then 20 days before, knowing I had no insurance for the next month, I begs cutting them in half. Took 5 mg for twenty days and stopped. We are all different but I didn't have too much difficulty but I could tell I had stopped.

Went back on it when I got insurance again and gained 10 lbs! I DO NOT LIKE THAT!!(LOL)

Anyhow best of luck.

[kecanoe]

Yes on the weight gain-that and high glucose level is why I am going off.

Thanks for your reply. Do you mind me asking how you could tell you had stopped taking it?

[Barreja]

Sure. I had a bout of sleepy depression. Very emotional after coming off. Had to come off due to insurance/move to California from New Hampshire! Very stressful time. I didn't feel any physical effects except the weight loss.

Abilify keeps me steady and able to think problems out better. Like in a more positive, less-critical-of-myself way. I make better, more mature and thoughtful decisions.

I lost all this slowly. I did loose about 18 lbs in short time off it but it really was my miricle drug! I seem to find a reason to get outta bed and not hopeless.

Getting off abilify is a piece of cake compared to coming off some anti-depressents, i.e., Effexor and SSRI's like sertraline (can't remember the brand name)

Hope this helps!